I just inherited a 1980 Corvette Stingray. The temp gage reads a constant 220 degrees. Is this normal? I would have thought it would be around 200- 205.
You need to verify that youre REALLY running that sort of temp. Use a lazer thermometer or stick thermometer in the radiator neck (dont get burned doing it). If you are running 230 f, its high . Heres the most common causes :
1. Flush out the cooling system real good using Prestone cleaner . Open all block drains when flushing. When filling, if you have a/c...use 80% water to 20% coolant. If you dont have a/c....use 100% water (dont forget to put some antifreeze in for winter if you get below 30 f where you are). Add a bottle of Redlines Water Wetter -- it also has water pump lubricant and rust inhibitors in it.
2. Power wash the front and back of the radiator and a/c condensor . Remove any debris thats in the cavity area.
3. Run your engine while parked, up to 3,000 rpms and see if the lower radiator hose is collapsing . If it is , replace .
4. Make sure the belt for the water pump isnt slipping.
5. Check your engine timing ; if its retarded from factory specs...it will make it run hotter.
6. If all of the above fails...temporarily take out your engine thermostat and see what kind of water temp. you run ; if it really came down in temp...get a balanced type engine thermostat.
7. If doing number 6 still results in a high water temp, then its time for a new higher volume water pump. Get a Stewart Brand stage 3 or 4 , if you arent concerned about keeping it all original. Visit their website and forum .
I just inherited a 1980 Corvette Stingray. The temp gage reads a constant 220 degrees. Is this normal? I would have thought it would be around 200- 205.
My old '80 Vette ran around 210F-215F during the hottest part of summer in Virginia Beach,VA. Of course, we don't have the dry heat like AZ does, but I don't think that you're too far off the mark considering your environment.
In addition to all the other recommendations you've received, I would check to see if you have an OEM pellet-type cat installed. These units would fail over time and form a partial blockage that caused the engine to run hot. (There are honeycomb replacement units available that will eliminate this problem while increasing performance.)
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